Prefect Valerian Barbatius
| Name | Valerian Barbatius |
|---|---|
| Title | Prefect |
| Date of Birth | 30.11.31128 |
| Planet of Origin | Foligno |
| Affiliation | Umbrian Republic Army |
Valerian Barbatius is Praetor Gaius Aurelius Marcellus's chief of staff, responsible for keeping the day to day operations of their army group running smoothly. While the details of his role would fail to capture the public's imagination, Valerian's skills in logistics and organization has been the difference between victory and defeat on numerous occasions.
Originally from Foligno, his skin contains less red pigment like much of the planet's population, giving his completion a yellow-orange hue. This, combined with his naturally boyish charms, would make him the subject of many a young woman's affections, and he developed a reputation as a ladies' man. This would get him into trouble on numerous occasions both as a private citizen and as an officer in the Republic Army.
Valerian was born to a wealth family on the developed world of Foligno. His parents would often be absent leaving him in the care of a number of different nannies and tutors who were responsible for raising the young man in the traditions of the Republic's well to do.
Despite his instructors best efforts, Valerian would find more in common with the household's domestic staff. He would become closer to these people than his own family, and the stories they shared and the hardships they endured helped inure him from the privileged lifestyle of his parents.
While he was encouraged to go after a career in finance by his father, Valerian desperately wanted to pursue a path of service to his community. He found few kindred spirits at the elite boarding schools he attended, but one day recruiters for the Umbrian Republic military would arrive at his school, showcasing the opportunities available in the armed services.
Valerian was hooked from the start, shocking his peers and most of all his parents. When he refused to change his mind, they disowned him. His kind hearted schoolmaster would waive the tuition fees for his final year of study, and Valerian would spend it living with the family cook, who came to see him as one of her own children.
As he entered the Republic military academy, Valerian would feel an almost instant kinship with his fellow recruits. Finally, he was surrounded by other young men and women who wanted to be a part of something bigger than themselves, rather than stoking their own sense of entitlement and self-importance.
He would grow especially close to a pair of his classmates: Gaius Aurelius Marcellus and Aria Fulvia Nobilior. They would become almost inseparable, and together the fearsome threesome would quickly earn a name for themselves in the regular games and exercises that were a part of their education.
Following graduation, Valerian's talents would land him directly in the headquarters of the Ninety-Third Legion. Using his position to influence his friends' postings, he made sure that both Marcellus and Aria would be assigned to his unit, a fact he worked diligently to keep hidden.
Their first test together would come on the planet of Lepitrum, where the legion would destroy the Ascomanni presence after a sharp and bloody fight. From there, the Ninety-Third would be continuously engaged in combat. Valerian was present for the Battle of Gela, where he was loaned to Praetor Artorius to assist with managing the army group's logistics train.
Following the successful conclusion of that battle, he would continue to serve with Marcellus and the Ninety-Third to Varese. The future Praetor would credit Valerian with keeping them alive and going during the brutal conflict which followed the Ascomanni attack on the world.
When Marcellus was promoted, his first official act was to request the transfer of his friend and adjutant to join his command. Val jumped at the opportunity, eager to take on the added challenges of managing such a large organization. As Marcellus continued to build out his team, Valerian was overjoyed at the number of familiar faces. Surrounded by his closest friends, he committed himself to doing whatever it took to give them an advantage in the battles to come.